Endless tales of legendary players and legendary days are part of the deal for those who don the fabled Homer baseball uniform.

So this year's Orange band just wanted to do its best to keep the tradition going and the stories growing.

"Sometimes you hear the stories and think 'Just let us play ball. It's us now,'" Homer senior Zach Butters said. "But we know (they gave us) the recipe for success."

Playing the brand of baseball that made their small town the talk of Michigan a decade ago -- when the Trojans won a state-record 75 consecutive games and played in three straight state finals -- Homer returned to the pinnacle of its sport by winning the Division 3 state championship Saturday.

Homer scored four first-inning runs then won a pitching duel with Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett -- the top program of this decade -- for a 4-0 triumph at Michigan State University's McLane Stadium.

With legends like Josh Collmenter, Dan Holcomb and Dale Cornstubble, Homer baseball was the most celebrated baseball program in the state. The Trojans captured the 2004 and 2006 state championship and finished as runners-up in between, carving their name in the record book with a storied 75-game winning streak.

But Homer had not been back to the final four since.

With the likes of Zach Butters, Kyle Compton and Seth Deigert, the Trojans went to work on telling a new tale.

"I know they appreciate (the history), but I'm careful not to compare teams," said Scott Salow, the architect of the tradition in his 19th season as head coach. "These guys wanted to create their own identity. They battle for each other and they compete for each other like mad, and that's what I love about them.

Homer (33-3), which went 37-2 but bowed out in the regional a year ago, built a head of steam for this year's tournament run. A dramatic 3-2 win over No. 1-ranked Pewamo-Westphalia in a nine-inning semifinal suggested their time was now.

In a championship battle with powerhouse Liggett, the Trojans delivered a monumental four-run first inning to take charge. Kyle Compton's two-run double and Jacob Wilson's two-RBI single had them rolling.

Then Butters took care of the rest. The fourth-year varsity standout pitched his finest game in his final game, completely frazzling Liggett with his breaking ball. He rung us six strikeouts over 6.1 scoreless innings. Coupled with his 2.1 innings of relief in the semifinal, he finished the dream weekend with 8.2 innings of spotless pitching while notching both victories.

"Who would've thought four runs in the first inning would hold up?" Salow said. "It was a gutsy performance by our guys, and they've done it all year."

Homer pitcher Zach Butters (3) chases down a base runner after a bunt during their MHSAA Division 3 state final baseball game against Grosse Pointe University Liggett at McLane Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Homer won the game, 4-0, to take home the state title. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

That kind of grit is a big part of the Homer baseball formula, and the 2019 champions wielded it well.

"You hustle on and off the field, you do all the little things, that's what Homer baseball is all about," Butters said. "Obviously it makes a big difference because we've been winning for a long time."

So, while the talk of those amazing Homer teams of the 2000s won't be going away any time soon, there is plenty of pride in this year's squad that their story will be told as well.

"It's something that's been going on for generations. My uncle was on the 2004 team," said Compton, one of seven seniors on the team. "It feels good to know we're living up to the name.

"It's motivational hearing about all the things they did, and we want to be part of that history."

Homer infielder Kyle Compton (22) tries to throw the ball to first base while Grosse Pointe University Liggett outfielder Ian Narva (22) tries to get out of the way at second base during their MHSAA Division 3 state final baseball game at McLane Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Homer won the game, 4-0, to take home the state title. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Liggett knows all about tradition-rich programs. The Knights have been on a tear in the 2010s like no other, reaching the final four seven times in the past nine seasons.

With five state championship in the trophy case -- including most recently in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2016 -- Liggett is always a threat to win it all. After bumping up to Division 1 and making plenty of noise there the past two years, Liggett returned to Division 3 this season and quickly became a title favorite.

The Knights did their part, delivering a 24-10 campaign that was highlighted by a 5-0 win over Gladstone in the semifinal. But the bats came up empty in the final contest and Liggett settled for its third state runner-up honor.

"The guys were definitely hungry, and we thought we had a really good chance at it," Liggett coach Dan Cimini said. "But we ran into a good pitcher and didn't get it done. We've had years when that happened for us. That's baseball.

“If you score zero runs, it doesn’t matter if you lose 1-0 or 4-0. You can’t turn back the clock, you have to move on.”

Homer outfielder Cole Austin (10) dives back to second base against Grosse Pointe University Liggett infielder Billy Kopicki (13) during their MHSAA Division 3 state final baseball game at McLane Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Homer won the game, 4-0, to take home the state title. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

*Homer strikes early with a first-inning outburst, bolting to a 4-0 lead. Kyle Compton's two-run double and Jacob Wilson's two-run single highlight the stunning start.

*Two innings in, Homer second baseman Kyle Compton has two impressive plays. On the first batter of the game, he fields a tough hopper up the middle and fires to first in time to deny Liggett of a tone-setting single. After Liggett gets a leadoff walk in the second, he takes a feed at second base then twists it into a double play with a strong throw to first.

*With two on and two out in the second, Billy Kopicki comes on in relief for Liggett and gets the final out. He does his part to keep his team in the game with 4.1 innings of one-hit ball.

*Homer refuses to allow Liggett to gain momentum. Catcher Damaso LeBron guns down Billy Kopicki attempting to steal second, ending the third inning with Homer still owning a 4-0 lead.

*Homer's Zach Butters has Liggett completely frustrated with his off-speed command. After Liggett puts two on with one out in the fourth, Butters strikes out the next two batters and walks off the mound without a scratch.

*Liggett pitcher Billy Kopicki turns back into a shortstop, bouncing off the mound to field a bunt and making a whirling, turning toss to first for an action-packed out in the top of the fourth.

*At perhaps the pivotal moment of the game, everything spins in Homer's favor. Alec Azar sizzles a liner to left field that looks like it may be a two-run double. Instead, Homer's Dylan Warner makes a sprawling catch, bounces up and throws to second base for an inning-ending, rally-killing double play.

*The excitement was brought to a halt with one out in the top of the seventh when Liggett's Patrick Ilitch was hit in the helmet by the pitch. After collecting himself, he trotted to first base -- got a handshake from Homer pitcher Zach Butters -- then came out of the game.

Homer celebrates after they defeated Grosse Pointe University Liggett, 4-0, in their MHSAA Division 3 state final baseball game at McLane Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, June 15, 2019. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

HOMER NOTEBOOK

*Ranked No. 6 in final state rankings

*Defeated No. 1-ranked Pewamo-Westphalia 2-1 in nine innings in semifinal on walk-off single by Jacob Wilson

*Zach Butters threw 2.1 innings of scoreless relief for the win in semifinal then came back to start the final

*Captured state championships in 2004 and 2006

*State runner-up in 1990 and 2005

*This was first appearance in final four since storied string from 2004-06, which included a state-record 75-game winning streak

*Coach Scott Salow, 19th year

*Outscored opponents 60-7 in postseason, never allowing more than two runs in a game

*Zach Butters finished 11-1 with an ERA under 1.00

*Team won more than 100 games and three regional titles past three seasons in resurgence of program

Grosse Pointe University Liggett infielder / pitcher Billy Kopicki (13) dives back to first base during their MHSAA Division 3 state final baseball game against Grosse Pointe University Liggett at McLane Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Homer won the game, 4-0, to take home the state title. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com